Nesco FD-80A Square Shaped Food Dehydrator User Manual

1. Introduction

This manual provides instructions for the safe and efficient operation, maintenance, and care of your Nesco FD-80A Square Shaped Food Dehydrator. Please read all instructions carefully before using the appliance and retain this manual for future reference.

The Nesco FD-80A is designed for dehydrating various foods, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, and meats, such as jerky. Its efficient design promotes even drying without the need for tray rotation.

2. Important Safety Information

WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury, always follow basic safety precautions when using electrical appliances.

• Read all instructions before operating the dehydrator.
• Do not immerse the motor housing, cord, or plug in water or other liquids.
• Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children.
• Unplug from outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow to cool before putting on or taking off parts.
• Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or after the appliance malfunctions or has been damaged in any manner.
• Do not use outdoors.
• Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter, or touch hot surfaces.
• Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.
• Always attach plug to appliance first, then plug cord into the wall outlet. To disconnect, turn any control to "off", then remove plug from wall outlet.
• Do not use appliance for other than intended use.
• Avoid contact with moving parts.

3. Product Components

The Nesco FD-80A Food Dehydrator consists of the following main components:

• Top Mounted Powerhead: Contains the heating element, fan, and adjustable thermostat.
• Dehydrator Trays: Four (4) square, BPA-free, dishwasher-safe trays are included. The unit is expandable up to eight (8) trays.
• Base: The bottom support for the stacked trays.
• Accessories: Includes 1 Clean-a-Screen, 1 Recipe Instruction Book, and 1 Jerky Seasoning & Cure Sample.

Figure 3.1: Assembled Nesco FD-80A Food Dehydrator. This image shows the complete dehydrator unit with its top-mounted powerhead, stacked trays, and base.

Figure 3.2: Nesco FD-80A Dehydrator with multiple trays stacked, demonstrating its drying capacity. The trays are filled with various foods like vegetables, fruits, and jerky strips, illustrating the unit's expandability and efficient use of space.

4. Setup Instructions

1. Unpack: Carefully remove all components from the packaging. Retain packaging for storage if desired.
2. Clean: Before first use, wash the dehydrator trays and base in warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry. The trays are dishwasher safe (top rack only), but remove them before the drying cycle to prevent warping. The top-mounted powerhead should be wiped with a damp cloth only; do not immerse in water.
3. Placement: Place the dehydrator on a stable, level, and heat-resistant surface. Ensure adequate air circulation around the unit.
4. Assemble Trays: Stack the desired number of trays onto the base. The unit comes with four trays and can be expanded up to eight trays (additional trays sold separately).
5. Position Powerhead: Place the top-mounted powerhead securely on the uppermost tray.
6. Connect Power: Plug the power cord into a standard electrical outlet.

5. Operating Instructions

5.1 General Operation

The Nesco FD-80A features a Converga-Flow drying system, which forces heated air down the exterior pressurized chamber, then horizontally across each individual tray. This design ensures quick, consistent drying without the need to rotate trays.

Figure 5.1: Diagram illustrating the Converga-Flow system for even heat distribution within the Nesco FD-80A dehydrator. Arrows show heated air circulating efficiently across all trays.

1. Prepare Food: Prepare your food items according to recipe guidelines (e.g., slice fruits, marinate jerky).
2. Load Trays: Arrange food in a single layer on the dehydrator trays, ensuring air can circulate freely around each piece. Do not overload trays.
3. Stack Trays: Stack the loaded trays onto the base, then place the powerhead on top.
4. Set Temperature: Use the adjustable thermostat dial on the powerhead to select the appropriate drying temperature. Refer to the temperature guide below for common food types.
5. Begin Dehydration: Plug the unit into an electrical outlet. The fan and heating element will activate.
6. Monitor Progress: Check food periodically for desired dryness. Drying times vary based on food type, thickness, and moisture content.
7. Finish: Once food is dried to your preference, unplug the unit. Allow food to cool completely before storing.

Figure 5.2: Close-up of the adjustable temperature control dial on the Nesco FD-80A powerhead. The dial shows temperature settings ranging from 95°F to 160°F, with recommended settings for various food types.

5.2 Temperature Guide

The adjustable thermostat allows for precise temperature control (95°F - 160°F) to achieve optimal drying results for different foods. The following are general recommendations:

Note: For detailed recipes and specific drying times, please refer to the included Recipe Instruction Book.

5.3 Included Accessories

Your Nesco FD-80A comes with useful accessories to enhance your dehydrating experience:

• 1 Clean-a-Screen: A flexible screen for drying smaller items that might fall through the regular tray grates.
• 1 Recipe Instruction Book: Contains various recipes and detailed drying guidelines for different foods.
• 1 Jerky Seasoning & Cure Sample: To get you started with making homemade jerky.

Figure 5.3: Image displaying the accessories included with the Nesco FD-80A dehydrator: a recipe book, a jerky seasoning packet, and a clean-a-screen mesh.

Figure 5.4: Nutrition Facts and ingredients for the included Jerky Seasoning and Cure sample. This provides dietary information for the seasoning.

6. Care and Maintenance

6.1 Cleaning

1. Unplug: Always unplug the dehydrator from the electrical outlet before cleaning.
2. Cool Down: Allow the unit to cool completely before disassembling or cleaning.
3. Trays and Base: The dehydrator trays and base are dishwasher safe (top rack only). For best results and to prevent warping, remove them from the dishwasher before the drying cycle begins. Alternatively, wash by hand in warm, soapy water, rinse, and dry thoroughly.
4. Powerhead: The top-mounted powerhead contains electrical components. Do not immerse it in water or any other liquid. Wipe the exterior of the powerhead with a damp cloth. For stubborn food residue, use a slightly damp cloth with mild detergent, then wipe clean with a clean, damp cloth. Ensure it is completely dry before storage or next use.
5. Clean-a-Screen: Wash gently by hand with warm, soapy water.

6.2 Storage

Store the assembled or disassembled dehydrator in a clean, dry place when not in use. Ensure all components are clean and dry before storage.

7. Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your Nesco FD-80A Food Dehydrator, please refer to the following common problems and solutions:

• Dehydrator does not turn on:
  • Ensure the power cord is securely plugged into a functional electrical outlet.
  • Check your household circuit breaker or fuse box.
  • Verify that the temperature dial is set to a temperature above "OFF".
• Food is not drying evenly:
  • Ensure food is sliced to a uniform thickness.
  • Avoid overcrowding trays; ensure sufficient space for air circulation.
  • Verify the temperature setting is appropriate for the food type.
  • While the Converga-Flow system minimizes the need, occasionally rotating trays (top to bottom) can sometimes assist with very dense loads or high humidity environments.
• Dehydrator is too noisy:
  • A gentle fan hum is normal. Ensure the unit is on a stable, flat surface to prevent vibrations.
  • Check that the powerhead is seated correctly on the top tray.

If the problem persists after attempting these solutions, please contact Nesco Customer Support.

8. Product Specifications

9. Warranty Information

For detailed warranty information regarding your Nesco FD-80A Food Dehydrator, please refer to the warranty card included with your product or visit the official Nesco website. Warranty terms and conditions may vary.

10. Customer Support

If you require assistance, have questions, or need to troubleshoot an issue not covered in this manual, please contact Nesco Customer Support:

• Phone: (800) 288-4545 (Customer Call Department open 8 AM to 4 PM CST)
• Online Chat: Available on NESCO.com
• Official User Guides (PDF):
  • User Guide (PDF)
  • User Manual (PDF)

Figure 10.1: Image representing Nesco customer support, showing a customer service representative with a headset. Nesco provides dedicated support for product inquiries and assistance.